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“Of course you can,” Cameron said. He dug into his pants pocket and pulled out some bills. “Matter of fact, the first one is on me.” Aidan took the money and took off like a flash. Liam increased his stride so that he wasn’t far behind him.
As they began walking as a group toward the booth, Cameron reached for Emma’s stroller handle. “I’ll take a turn, if you don’t mind,” he offered.
“Of course,” Paige said as she let go of the handle. “It’s nice to let someone take over for a change.”
Cameron felt a burst of happiness explode in his chest. Being surrounded by his family members and Paige on this perfect spring day was making him believe in things he had thought were near impossible. He was learning moment by moment that life was really full of the most unexpected surprises.
* * *
Watching Boone get creamed in the face with pies was way more entertaining than Paige would ever admit. The Prescott brothers were practically giddy at the opportunity to smash the dessert in their brother’s mug. Boone took it in stride, letting it be known to one and all that he was willing to do it for a good cause, Honor’s wildlife organization. Finally, after several turns in line, Grace made Liam and Cameron move along and find another event at the festival to participate in. Although Grace was a sweetheart, it was
apparent that no one wanted to mess with her protective side. It was sweet, Paige thought, how she stayed nearby with a towel so she could clean her husband up between pie throws. She watched as Boone placed a tender kiss on his wife’s lips.
It was a simple yet romantic gesture that spoke volumes about their love. She let out a sigh. Once upon a time she and Cameron had felt that way about each other. They had been inseparable, finishing each other’s sentences, fueling each other’s dreams and bolstering one another when things in their lives became rocky.
Those old feelings for Cameron were returning and becoming stronger each and every day. She was falling back in love with him, even though she knew that it was risky. The events of two years ago had shown her in the most brutal way that caring for someone was a pathway to heartache. Yes, she believed in love in all its imperfections. But she didn’t know if she could trust Cameron long enough to see if they had a shot at a future together. He had proved to her that the feelings he had felt for her weren’t strong enough to withstand the whispers and smears of the townsfolk. His disloyalty had blindsided her. And Emma didn’t need to get caught in the cross fire again. It would be confusing and upsetting for a little girl to see her parents at odds.
Not that Cameron had indicated in any way, shape or form that he was interested in pursuing a relationship with her. But they had got close again. And every now and then there was something hovering in between them that had nothing to do with friendship. It was as if all the air left the room when they were together. Sometimes it felt as if she couldn’t breathe normally in his presence.
She heaved a deep sigh. How had this happened? How had her feelings for Cameron shifted so quickly?
After a while everyone splintered off into groups. Hazel was attached at the hip to Emma. Paige thought it was very heartwarming how her little girl seemed to enjoy being held in the other woman’s arms. And Hazel lit up like sunshine when Emma was around. Perhaps, Paige thought, Emma would have a grandma in Love after all.
As everyone made their way off to different events, Paige found herself alone with Cameron. Hazel and Jasper had taken the kids to the livestock enclosure while Liam went off in search of Honor. Grace had been feeling dehydrated, so Boone took her to sit in the shade with an ice-cold water.
Suddenly, with the two of them being on their own, it reminded her of all the festivals they had attended together over the years. It brought back a tide of memories that swept over her like a gentle breeze. One of her first youthful dates with Cameron had taken place at this very fair. At seventeen years old, he had been a bit brash, and he’d gone to extreme lengths to win her more stuffed animals than she could hold in her arms. He’d walked around with a bit of swagger and she hadn’t quite known what to make of him. By the end of the festival, he had revealed his tender side by telling her about his parents’ divorce and how he was overprotective of his little sister. In that very moment Paige had known that Cameron Prescott would be tied to her forever.
And she had been right. Now they would always be inextricably linked together because of Emma.
“You know what I could go for?” Cameron asked, drawing her out of her trip down memory lane.
“Is it round and gooey and comes on a stick?” she asked in a playful voice, knowing full well that Cameron was referencing his love of caramel apples.
He rubbed his stomach. “I’ve been thinking about caramel apples for days.”
“Well, lead the way,” Paige said with a laugh. “I don’t want to deprive you of your delicacy.”
Cameron grabbed her by the hand and led her to the area of the festival where the food vendors were located. He gave a triumphant cry as he spotted the truck where the caramel apples were being sold.
“Do you want one?” he asked as he stood in line.
“No, thanks,” Paige said. “I’m holding out for some iced lemonade.”
“Suit yourself.”
Once it was in his hands, he took a huge bite and groaned loudly with appreciation. As Paige stood there watching him with amusement, he continued to devour his treat.
“If I remember correctly, you used to love these, too. Sure you don’t want the last bite?” he asked, holding up the final sliver.
She took a gentle bite, ending up with a trail of caramel dribbling down her chin. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the stick in a nearby garbage can, then reached out and wiped the caramel away with the tip of his finger. Their eyes met and held. Something simmered and crackled between them. A deep and heavy vibe pulsed in the air.
Cameron dipped his head down and placed his lips on Paige’s. He moved them over hers with sweetness, reaching out to cradle the sides of her face with his hands. This tender, soul-stirring kiss almost caused her knees to buckle. This moment had been years in the making. In the lonely moments in Seattle she had dreamed of being held like this by Cameron.
“Cameron,” she whispered as the kiss ended. She reached out and ran her finger along his rugged jawline. She felt the slight roughness of his half a day’s stubble.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since you came back to town,” he murmured.
“What took you so long?” she teased.
